Written question asked by Julie Morgan (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 March 2010. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 22 March 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Tuberculosis: Health Services

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to assist hard to reach groups, including those from black and minority ethnic communities and people who are homeless, to access medical services for the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.

Answer: The Department is funding a United Kingdom charity, TB Alert, to provide awareness raising messages for groups vulnerable to tuberculosis (TB), including black and minority ethnic communities, to increase referrals for TB testing and treatment.The Department also funds the Find & Treat (F&T) programme in London, to work alongside local TB services. The F&T team are providing support to homeless people in accessing medical services for the prevention and treatment of TB. F&T have provided help to over 400 people with TB to complete their treatment.

Secondary information